Snowstorm could drop up to 10 inches of snow in some parts of Wisconsin

The first major snowstorm of the winter is taking aim on Wisconsin, and projected snow totals are lowering as the snow shifts slightly south Tuesday afternoon.

A wet, sloppy mess of a storm is expected to sweep into Wisconsin on Tuesday evening, dropping what meteorologists say could be up to 10 inches of snow in some parts before an Arctic blast drops temperatures to subzero.

A winter storm warning is in place until noon Wednesday for most of southern and southeastern Wisconsin, spreading as far north as Fond du Lac and Manitowoc counties, National Weather Service office in Green Bay and Milwaukee reported.

Meanwhile, a winter weather advisory is also in effect until 6 p.m. Tuesday for central and northern parts of the state, including Winnebago, Outagamie, Brown and Marathon counties, the Weather Service said.

Updated snowfall total predictions for Northeastern Wisconsin, via the National Weather Service.(Photo: Courtesy of National Weather Service)

Meteorologists lowered total snow accumulations for the Fox Valley around 3 p.m. as the storm approaching from Iowa shifted slightly south. By noon Wednesday snow in Green Bay, Appleton and Oshkosh will hit 5 to 6 inches, according to updated estimates.

Earlier in the day Fox Valley predictions topped 12 inches.

But predictions in Fond du Lac down to Milwaukee and Waukesha remained steady. That area could see anywhere between 5 to 10 inches of accumulation.

Portions of central Wisconsin could pick up between 2 and 4 inches with accumulations less than an inch in the state's northernmost communities. That prediction was also halved from earlier in the day.

The storm will make roads across the state snowy and icy for the Tuesday-evening and Wednesday-morning commutes, when the heaviest snow is expected to fall, according to the Weather Service. The worst driving conditions for Fox Valley and Lakeshore communities will be Wednesday morning, the Weather Service reported.

"We will expect to get some snow early on and if we get some ice after that, which would be on top of the snow, that will make it heavy and difficult to move," said Aidan Borowski, a National Weather Service meteorologist based in Sullivan.

In an urgent winter weather message, the Weather Service also said strong winds could cause travel issues.

"Winds will become gusty late tonight into Wednesday morning, leading to blowing and drifting snow across northeast Wisconsin," the Weather Service said.

The snow comes courtesy of a low-pressure system that's moving from the southern Plains across the middle Mississippi Valley region and tracking into Wisconsin Tuesday.

Wisconsinites will dig out just in time to get a blast of Arctic air. A cold air mass is moving in behind the snow and will settle across the state like an icy blanket.

Actual low temperatures on Friday and Saturday are forecast in the minus single digits. Highs will be above zero but in the single digits. Wind chills of minus 25 to minus 40 are in the forecast, which will trigger a wind chill advisory for much of the state, according to the Weather Service.

Cities around the state get prepared

As anywhere between 5 to 12 inches of snow awaits city streets around the state, municipalities are finalizing their plans for cleaning up the mess.

Chad Doran, Appleton's communications coordinator, said the city is continuing to watch forecasts while looking into historical data and previous plans for storms about this size.

However, because no one is quite sure yet how much snow will really fall due to differing reports, Doran said the job is a tricky one.

"It's just a task that is made that much more difficult based on the variety of different forecasts out there right now," he said. "It really makes it hard for our public works crews to make a solid plan and rather makes it more of a 'wait and see' approach."

Once snow begins to fall, Doran said plow crews in Appleton will begin work on main roads, hills and bridges, continuing to keep them clear. Once those are clear they will make their way to secondary roads and then neighborhoods.

One thing for residents to keep their eye out for, Doran said, is the potential for the city to put a snow emergency into effect, which either limits or completely prohibits parking on city streets.

Last year's April snowstorm that dropped over 20 inches of snow in Appleton put the city in a Class III snow emergency, meaning street parking was completely prohibited until cancelled by city officials.

Stay safe in the snow and wind

Emergency management departments across the state implored residents to take precautions to stay safe in the severe weather.

Have an emergency kit in your vehicle if you must travel during the snowstorm, according to emergency management departments in Adams, Fond du Lac and Portage counties. Include warm clothes, a flashlight, a shovel, first-aid kit and snacks.

As with any storm, allow extra time time to reach your destination, keep a half-tank of gas at all times and check 511wi.gov for road conditions.

And in regards to Thursday and Friday's frigid wind chills, it's best to stay indoors, according to Ready Wisconsin. Make sure your home is stocked with food, important medications, a flashlight and a weather radio — anything you need in case you lose electricity.

Never run a gasoline or propane heater indoors or in the garage, and make sure a generator is kept at least 20 feet from the home. And make sure your carbon monoxide detectors are working

If you must go outside, cover as much skin as possible. At the predicted dangerously low temperatures, frostbite can develop within 20 minutes. Babies, older adults and homeless people are at risk for hypothermia — as well as pets. Check on your vulnerable family, friends and neighbors, the emergency management departments said.